Finlay shines as Ballybay oust Crossmaglen

Crossmaglen 1-09 Ballybay 2-11

Underdogs Ballybay Pearse Brothers showed superior nous to take care of Crossmaglen Rangers in a barnstorming Ulster Club Championship opener at the Athletic Grounds.

Despite the wealth of history and, indeed, titles behind the Armagh and Ulster aristocrats, it was the Monaghan men that showed superior nerve and the greater game management on the night as they won out 2-11 to 1-09.

The win sets up the mouthwatering clash with All-Ireland champions Kilcoo next weekend. The greater fascination will be the background as Ballybay joint-manager Jerome Johnston [Mark Doran is also in charge] will now have to decide whether to face his three sons, Ryan, namesake Jerome and Shealan in the quarter-final or not.

That will be decided during the week, but on the night, Ballybay swung the game in a momentous third-quarter showing.

With Dara O'Callaghan black carded for Crossmaglen on the stroke of half time, Ballybay fully used that numerical advantage to outscore the Armagh champions 1-05 to 0-01 in that match-winning period.

Substitute Aaron Toner came in at half time to punch home Ballybay’s second goal and braces from Shane McGuinness and Dessie Ward were sublime. That was a lead Johnston’s side would show no signs of losing as they impressively booked a quarter-final spot.

Right from the start Ballybay showed their composure. They lost Drew Wylie in the second minute to a black card but still forged a goal from the penalty spot from Shane McGuinness.

Aaron Toner with a Ballybay goal and Crossmaglen are in trouble. Live now on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player. pic.twitter.com/3VfBUOGO36

With his man-marker Wylie sidelined, Rian O'Neill responded with a moment of magic. The Armagh star lashed the ball past Julius